Required paperwork to rent in Moscow

 Much paperwork is also necessary to rent accommodation in Moscow, from both the tenant and landlord.

Your landlord should prove ownership and the right to legally rent out the property. This can be in the form of a standard ownership document or shared ownership. Standard ownership documents may include a variety of documents depending on when and in what manner the property was acquired. Certificate of the State Registration of Ownership Rights states the address of the apartment and the owner’s name. If there’s more than one property owner, it will indicate the share of ownership but won’t list other owners. Such certificates accompany any ownership document if the property was acquired after 1998, but earlier transactions don’t require this.

If the property was privatized, the ownership documents come in two parts: the Agreement of Transfer and the Certificate of Ownership. Privatization documents list all owners and their shares. Another common ownership document is the sale-purchase agreement.

Besides ownership verification, it’s important to see the landlord’s identification – usually a passport. If a property has multiple owners, make sure that all property owners sign the lease agreement or provide a power of attorney to act on their behalf.

The tenant doesn’t require elaborate credit checks. Landlords usually ask for a copy of a passport and visa, and, in some cases, for proof of employment. It is also customary to leave a contact person and a phone number of your office.

In Moscow, tenants must register at their residence. Tenants can register in the Moscow Visa Registration Office (UVIR), using their landlord’s notarised consent or a rental contract.

See also: https://sdat-kvartiru.com/

Paying utilities while renting in Moscow

When renting Russian apartments, basic utilities such as water, heating, and facility management fees are typically part of the rental price. However, additional bills for electricity, internet, television, and telecommunication services are usually separate payments by the tenant.

Utilities in Russia are state-run and generally cheap. However, this does mean that tenants have no control if they’re living in a typical Russian apartment, rather than a plush western-style building, as the government dictates when the heating turns on and off. Also, in the summer, the hot water is turned off for up to three weeks across the whole city for routine maintenance.

Renting in Moscow city center

For many young expats or those needing convenient access to the city, choosing to rent in the centre of Moscow puts you in the heart of it all. Tverskaya Street, leading off from Red Square, is the most central street in Moscow, complete with high-end shops and nightspots that attract foreigners and wealthy locals alike.

Other central areas that are a little quieter, but equally as central, are between Arbat and Kropotkinskaya, which are beautiful tree-lined pedestrianized streets with a relaxed, cafe lifestyle.

Other popular residential areas

Slightly out of the centre you’ll still find pleasant areas within the Sadovoye Koltso, also known as the Garden Ring. These are generally quieter, residential areas with good links to the city centre and plenty of local amenities, such as restaurants, cafes, shops and green areas.

One of the more favored areas is the Patriarshiye Prudy, on the northeastern edge of the Garden Ring. With a pretty park as a central focus and good transport links with four metro stations all within walking distance, it’s a perfect compromise for urban living with more space.

However, if you want a slice of European architecture and charm, then Chistye Prudy is another attractive residential area, with a lake that offers boating in the summer and skating during the winter months.